MOVIE REVIEW: THE NEW MUTANTS

Magik, Wolfsbane and other teenage mutants try to come to grips with their superpowers while staying at a secret facility.

Director: Josh Boone

Cast: Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, Blu Hunt, Henry Zaga
Release Date: August 26, 2019

Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for violent content, some disturbing/bloody images, some strong language, thematic elements and suggestive material

Runtime: 1 h 40 min

Review:

The New Mutants is a film that has faced more adversity than any film should.  Delays and possible reshoots because of studio issues then Covid-19 made it seems like the film had been snake bitten.  Finally the film hit the screens and you wonder if any of it was worth it.  Sadly, Josh Boone’s film isn’t really worth the wait since it’s a generic superhero film with just hints of horror in its soul.  The latter is the biggest issue since the movie can’t seem to make up its mind if it wants to go all in with the horror aspect it toys with.  It never really makes up its minds leaving the film a hodgepodge of both genres worst impulses while never nailing one.  Boone’s film feels like a relic from the 90s or early 2000s with its wooden thinly drawn characters and dialogue.  The biggest problem is that there is a talented capable cast on board who are all wasted throughout.  Maisie Williams & Anya Taylor-Joy come out looking the best but you can tell both are screaming for better material.  Taylor-Joy in particular is seeping with talent and she would have nailed a better interpretation of her character given the chance.  Blu Hunt is the defacto lead of the whole thing which is a terrible thing since she and her character are the most boring thing about the whole endeavor. At some point during its incredibly predicable finale, you wonder if all it’s trial and tribulations coming to screen happened for a reason.


C

Cindy Prasick's Reviews of Early Man & Black Panther

Dearest Blog: After a two-week hiatus, yesterday it was back to Marquee Cinemas for what I thought was a promising pair: Early Man and Black Panther.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First up: Early Man.

The fate of a pre-historic tribe rests on a soccer game. Yes, you read that right.

Well, dear reader(s), it hurts me to say it, but Early Man just plain stinks. I wanted the wacky premise to be as funny as it sounds. I wanted the voice cast to be as amazing as it looks on paper. I wanted to love this movie, and I had every reason to believe I would, but it didn’t give me a chance.

Early Man is populated with forgettable characters who lack any charm.  The premise is improbable enough that it could have been hilarious, but instead it's just idiotic. The film doesn't even run a full hour and a half, but I lost count of the number of times I nearly nodded off. I can't imagine Early Man holding anyone's attention, nevermind the young audience at which it is directed. The few good laughs don't half make it worth your time.

Early Man clocks in at 89 minutes and is rated PG for "rude humor and some action."

If you were thinking of seeing Early Man, I'd suggest you save your money and watch Wallace & Gromit again instead. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Early Man gets three, including one bonus Weasley for having an actual Weasley (Mark Williams) among the cast.

Fangirl points: Richard Ayoade!

Next on my agenda, Black Panther.

Following the death of his father, new challenges face T'Challa both as king of Wakanda and as the Black Panther.

My usual disclaimer: I'm a DC girl through and through, so generally I find Marvel product enjoyable but forgettable. My notable exception has been Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but now I have two exceptions.

You. Guys. Black Panther is SO good. Other than being just a hair too long, it gets everything right. Chadwick Boseman carries the mammoth blockbuster with all the ease of the best A-lister. He's been so good so often it shouldn't be a surprise, but this is a very, VERY large stage and he owns it. His supporting cast is extraordinary to a person, with special mention to Danai Gurira--often the only watchable thing about the Walking Dead--and the always-remarkable Andy Serkis. The film boasts striking visuals with nifty tech, solid effects, majestic costumes, and glorious scenery. The humor is spot-on, never Iron Man-forced; in fact, one of the best things about Black Panther is the lack of intrusion by the other Avengers. The film reflects and respects African culture without so much as a hint of patronizing, and does an incredible job of planting everyone on equal footing. Characters in Black Panther aren't written to do things just because they're black or white, male or female; they're complicated people with complicated feelings and motives. The film bears important messages about our obligations to one another and those commitments that don't change with circumstances or our feelings. Black Panther has plenty of action, smart performances, layered interpersonal connections, and even a touch of romance, a little something for everyone.

Black Panther runs 134 minutes and is rated PG13 for "prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture."

Black Panther is that rare Marvel offering that is truly something special. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Black Panther gets nine.

Fangirl points: Don't wanna spoil anything but STICK AROUND FOR THE SECOND POST-CREDITS SCENE!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: EARLY MAN

A plucky cave man named Dug, his sidekick Hognob and the rest of their tribe face a grave threat to their simple existence. Lord Nooth plans to take over their land and transform it into a giant mine, forcing Dug and his clan to dig for precious metals. Not ready to go down without a fight, Dug and Hognob must unite their people in an epic quest to defeat a mighty enemy -- the Bronze Age.

Director: Nick Park

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall

Release Date: Feb 16, 2018

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Rated PG for rude humor and some action

Runtime: 1h 29 min

Review:

Early Man, Nick Park’s latest claymation entry, is as decidedly charming as it is British.  It’s got some solid laughs even if never really nails an emotional center.  Park’s characters are fun and eccentric but the film’s brisk pace never lets us get too close to any of them.  Eddie Redmayne’s Dug is central character and he’s a likeable sort matching Redmayne’s endearing voice work.  Tom Hiddleston hams it up as the film villain who’s never any sort of real threat.  I would have liked to have seen Maisie Williams character get more to do but she’s still solid in parts.  The movie’s real MVP is Dug’s side kick Hognob, a prehistoric hog, who is good for laughs throughout.  Early Man probably won’t be remembered as one of Nick Park’s classics like some of his Wallace and Gromit films or even Chicken Run.  That being said, it is a charming family film that’s going to leave a smile on most people’s face.

B